Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Lateral Relief is a penalty-relief option for a ball in a red Penalty Area. For one Penalty Stroke, the player drops a ball within two club-lengths of the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge, no nearer the hole, then plays from the resulting Relief Area.
How it matters in match play
In Match Play, Lateral Relief changes the place from which the next Stroke is made, but it does not change the hole score or match result by itself. The player adds one Penalty Stroke to the hole score, then continues under the normal Rules. Because the option applies only to a red Penalty Area, the Committee's marking matters; a yellow Penalty Area does not offer this lateral option.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Lateral Relief |
| Category | rules |
| Applicable rule | Rule 17.1d(3); Rule 14.3 |
| Related concepts | Penalty Area, Penalty Relief, Penalty Stroke, Drop, Relief Area |
Worked example
Alex's tee shot last crossed the edge of a red Penalty Area 30 metres from the hole; after adding one Penalty Stroke, Alex drops within two club-lengths of that reference point, no nearer the hole, and plays the next Stroke from the Relief Area.
Rule reference: Rule 17.1d(3); Rule 14.3
Sources: www.randa.org , www.usga.org , www.randa.org
Common questions
Is Lateral Relief available from every Penalty Area?
No. Lateral Relief under Rule 17.1d(3) is available only when the ball last crossed the edge of a red Penalty Area. A yellow Penalty Area has stroke-and-distance and back-on-the-line options instead.
Where is the reference point for Lateral Relief?
Use the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the red Penalty Area. Measure the two-club-length Relief Area from that point, and do not use a point nearer the hole.
How many penalty strokes does Lateral Relief cost?
It costs one Penalty Stroke. The stroke is added to the hole score before the player continues from the dropped ball. The option itself does not concede or settle a Match Play hole.
Can the relief area be in another part of the course?
It may be in any area of the course except the same Penalty Area, subject to the no-nearer-the-hole limit. If more than one area is within two club-lengths, the ball must come to rest in the same area of the course that it first touched when dropped.
Does Lateral Relief mean dropping on the opposite side of the penalty area?
Not automatically. The standard option is measured from the last-crossing reference point. A Committee may adopt a Local Rule allowing relief on the opposite side of a red Penalty Area at an equal distance from the hole, so check the Terms of the Competition.
May a player play the ball as it lies instead?
Yes. A player may play a ball as it lies in a Penalty Area without penalty, or choose an available penalty-relief option. Lateral Relief is an option, not a requirement.